Frequent Miler's latest team challenge, Million Mile Madness, is happening now! Follow us as Greg, Nick, and Stephen compete to earn 1 Million SAS miles by flying 15 airlines before November 23rd. Who will complete the challenge with the most Speed, Affordability, and Style?
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The Delta credit cards have increased their welcome offers to coincide with the new increased annual fee on the cards and the offers are pretty interesting. In addition to incentivizing cardholders to keep their cards beyond the first year by offering bonus miles at anniversary, Amex and Delta are offering an unprecedented 20,000 MQMs as part of the welcome bonus on one of them. Read on for the details of the new offers.
The Offers & Key Card Details
Note: For more information on each of these cards as well as links to apply, simply click the card name to go to our dedicated Frequent Miler page for each card.
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
10K miles ⓘ Affiliate 10K miles after $1000 spend in the first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)No Annual Fee Note an unusual restriction: Welcome bonus not available if you've had another Delta consumer card in the past 90 days. FM Mini Review: This card offers an OK welcome offer for a no annual fee card, but many/most other cards offer better return for spend. Earning rate: 2X restaurants worldwide ✦ 2X Delta ✦ 1X on all other eligible purchases Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: 20% statement credit on in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and headsets Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) |
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
50K miles ⓘ Affiliate 50K miles after $2K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 FM Mini Review: Priority boarding, and free checked bag make this a reasonably good option for Delta flyers who do not have elite status. However, those who can make use of an annual companion certificate would do better with the Delta Platinum card. Earning rate: 2X Delta ✦ 2x restaurants worldwide ✦ 2x US supermarkets Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $200 Delta flight credit after $10K in purchases in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Priority boarding and first checked bag free on Delta flights. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) |
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
60k miles ⓘ Affiliate 60K after $4K spend in first 6 months. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 FM Mini Review: Priority boarding and first checked bag free make this a reasonably good option for Delta flyers who do not have elite status. However, those who can make use of an annual companion certificate would do better with the Delta Platinum card. Earning rate: 2X Delta ✦ 2X U.S. purchases for advertising in select media and U.S. shipping purchases (capped at $50k per year) ✦ 2x restaurants worldwide and US takeout & delivery Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $200 Delta flight credit after $10K in purchases in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Get up to $150 back per year as a statement credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Priority boarding, and first checked bag free on Delta flights. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) |
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
60K miles ⓘ Affiliate 60K miles after $3K spend in 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$350 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Good choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of annual companion certificate Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ✦ 2X restaurants ✦ 2X US Supermarkets Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $20 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart ✦ US, Caribbean, or Central American economy companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) each year upon card renewal ✦ Earn up to $150 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants [enrollment required] ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights ✦ Complimentary Upgrade list: get added to the complimentary upgrade list after Delta elite members and Reserve cardmembers ✦ Cell phone protection ✦ Terms and Limitations Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
70K miles ⓘ Affiliate 70K after $6K spend in first 6 months. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)$350 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Good choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of annual companion certificate Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ✦ 1.5X on transit, eligible U.S. shipping, and purchases of $5K or more (up to $100K per year) Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $20 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart ✦ Domestic, Caribbean, or Central American economy companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) each year upon card renewal ✦ Earn up to $200 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights ✦ Complimentary Upgrade list: get added to the complimentary upgrade list after Delta elite members and Reserve cardmembers✦ Terms and Limitations Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
70K Miles ⓘ Affiliate Earn 70K miles after $5K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$650 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Excellent choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of SkyClub access and companion certificate. Also a good choice for big spenders seeking Delta elite status. Earning rate: 3X Delta Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $10 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart ✦ US, Caribbean, Mexico or Central America roundtrip main cabin companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) after card renewal ✦ SkyClub access (starting 2/1/25, 15 visits per year (after 15 visits have been used, additional visits can be purchased for $50 each) or to earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on 2/1/25, spend $75K or more on eligible purchases between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. ✦ 4 Delta SkyClub one-time guest passes ✦ Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta ✦ Earn up to $200 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants [enrollment required] ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Complimentary upgrades ✦ One statement credit every 4 years for the $120 Global Entry application fee or one statement credit every 4.5 years for the $85 TSA Precheck application fee ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights. ✦ Hertz President's Circle Status ✦ Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) See also: Delta Reserve complete guide |
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
80K miles ⓘ Affiliate 80k after $10K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$650 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Excellent choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of SkyClub access and companion certificate. Also a good choice for big spenders seeking Delta elite status. Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 1.5X on eligible transit, U.S. shipping & office supply store purchases Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $10 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Domestic, Caribbean, or Central American economy or first class companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) after card renewal ✦ SkyClub access (starting 2/1/25, 15 visits per year (after 15 visits have been used, additional visits can be purchased for $50 each) or earn unlimited visits after spending $75K/calendar year on the card ✦ 4 Delta SkyClub one-time guest passes ✦ Centurion Lounge access when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve card ✦ Earn up to $250 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Complimentary upgrades ✦ $120 Global Entry fee credit every 4 years (or 4.5 years for TSA Precheck) ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights. ✦ Hertz President's Circle Status ✦ Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) See also: Delta Reserve complete guide |
![](http://cdn.nextinsure.com/imaging/opt/47dd49f9-d80b-4251-aa8e-2fbf313e6402.jpg?w=300" alt="Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card" />)
Quick Thoughts
While it seems reasonable to expect an increase in offer here given the increase in annual fee on these cards, I’m pleasantly surprised by the new offers.
Keep in mind of course that Delta SkyMiles are not the most valuable airline currency, but with regular flash sales presenting opportunities to get north of a cent per mile for economy class redemptions and the occasional partner award opportunity, these offers can certainly be decent fr someone looking to boost up a Delta account.
Offering bonus miles at first anniversary is certainly an intriguing way to entice people to keep the card beyond the first year. If you also value the other benefits of these cards, I could see these bonuses convincing you to keep the card for at least two years.
A couple of cards feature new bonus categories, including restaurants, US supermarkets, and money spent directly with hotels (see the details above). We previously covered a number of the key changes along with some analysis of their relative value (See: Delta credit cards: huge changes coming.) While you could earn better category bonuses on cards that earn Amex Membership Rewards points and transfer those points to Delta, it’s at least nice to see some chances for bonus categories for those who will otherwise spend on these cards toward Delta status or MQD waivers.
Speaking of status, the ability to pick up 20,000 miles toward elite status (MQMs) as part of the welcome bonus on the Reserve cards is terrific for those chasing status who expect to come up short of the next level. That should go a long way toward making that next level more reachable. As a reminder, Silver status with Delta only requires 25,000 MQMs. The bonus on this card will get you almost half way to Gold.
Since you can also earn MQMs from spend on those cards, $60K spend in a calendar year would get you Gold status without stepping on a plane. Platinum status would then be within reach with moderate flight activity (given that $25K spend across one or more Delta cards will grant you an MQD waiver up to Platinum status). Queue up the first commenter to note that “when everyone has status, no one has status”, but it would seem like useful status could be fairly easy for some. Keep in mind that Delta Diamond still requires either $15K in MQDs or $250K in Delta credit card spend (across one or more Delta credit cards) to get an MQD waiver.
Overall, these offers are all good values for spend in year 1 and the Platinum and Reserve cards are likely keepers beyond year 1 for the anniversary points and benefits. The Reserve cards in particular look like a great deal for those chasing status despite the bump in annual fee.
Keep in mind that these offers contain lifetime language, so you will not be eligible for the bonus on a card that you have or have had, regardless as to whether or not you received a welcome bonus. However, you are eligible for the bonus on each of the cards that you have not had before (provided Amex does not give you a pop-up message during the application process advising otherwise).
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[…] Big new Delta offers: get up to 20K MQMs! […]
Can you stack the MQMs? So if I got both the Reserve biz and personal I would get 40 MQMs?
Yes
Do you think the bonus miles offered at the anniversary might be used as retention offers as well? My 1-year for the Platinum is coming up in May and also hold a gold. If they offered the anniversary bonus might consider keeping one.
Doubtful. This is being offered as a one-time bonus after first anniversary, not a recurring benefit, so I wouldn’t expect it to be something offered to existing cardholders.
That said, it’s always worth calling to ask for a retention offer before cancelling. Most issuers never extend retention offers to people who don’t ask for them. I always say that you hit 0% of the balls at which you do not swing. Might as well call and ask what they have available. Just understand that it is likely not up to the person who answers your call — they’ll either see a retention offer available for you or they won’t. It’s not generally negotiable (though there are sometimes multiple different offers available from which you can choose and they may not read them all until you ask).
Hi Nick. Confused a bit about your answer. This is very relevant to me since the two things I care most about on my Delta Platinum card are the annual fee (up $50) and the lounge access (up $10 per person per lounge access). I am in the hobby for aspirational travel (whether flying in business on a really good product or flying in economy plus internationally for a relatively small number of points), so the reduced price domestic economy companion ticket is not a benefit I dream about. I had thought that the proper approach was to ask the AMEX representative to be transferred to the retention department, but is that not correct, i.e., will the rep answering the phone have access to everything that can be offered?
No, you’re right. You’ll need to talk to a retention specialist. That’s the “person answering your call” that I meant. Sorry — I didn’t mean to make that confusing.
Thanks!
Do you know if the 90 day sign up between 3 cards is a hard date (I will be <10 days short)?